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Valentine's Day falls on Ash Wednesday this year, and Catholic diocese says no dispensation for meat

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Updated: 10:27 AM EST Feb 14, 2018

Valentine's Day falls on Ash Wednesday this year, and Catholic diocese says no dispensation for meat

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Updated: 10:27 AM EST Feb 14, 2018

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WEBVTT CATHOLICS IN THE DIOCESE OFTHIS YEAR, IT FALLS ON ASHWE DID REACH OUT TO THE DIOCESE

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Valentine's Day falls on Ash Wednesday this year, and Catholic diocese says no dispensation for meat

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Updated: 10:27 AM EST Feb 14, 2018

Thinking about celebrating with a steak dinner? Pittsburgh Catholics might want to pick another night for that special dinner with that special someone.Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on Valentine's Day this year. For Catholics, that means a day of fasting -- and no meat.The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh says Bishop David Zubik will not grant dispensation from the fasting and abstinence this year.In a letter to priests, Zubik wrote, "For those who wish to celebrate Valentine's Day, it would seem most appropriate to do so on another day. Often times, when Valentine's Day falls during the week, this is done out of convenience anyway."Also, since Ash Wednesday is both a day of abstinence from meat and a day of fasting (smaller meals, no eating between meals), any Valentine's Day meals on February 14th should be considered in light of the penitential nature of the day."

PITTSBURGH —

Thinking about celebrating with a steak dinner? Pittsburgh Catholics might want to pick another night for that special dinner with that special someone.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on Valentine's Day this year. For Catholics, that means a day of fasting -- and no meat.

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The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh says Bishop David Zubik will not grant dispensation from the fasting and abstinence this year.

In a letter to priests, Zubik wrote, "For those who wish to celebrate Valentine's Day, it would seem most appropriate to do so on another day. Often times, when Valentine's Day falls during the week, this is done out of convenience anyway.

"Also, since Ash Wednesday is both a day of abstinence from meat and a day of fasting (smaller meals, no eating between meals), any Valentine's Day meals on February 14th should be considered in light of the penitential nature of the day."